(Monrovia, Liberia, November 25, 2024)—the Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the Africa CDC, USAID, UNICEF, and other key stakeholders, has launched the National Community Health Program (NCHP) Acceleration Plan Workshop. The four-day event, hosted at the RLJ Kendeja Resort, seeks to assess Liberia’s community health progress, address pressing challenges, and establish a clear path toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The workshop, scheduled from November 25 to 28, has drawn government officials, implementing partners, donors, and representatives from Liberia’s health sector. Under the theme “Landscape Analysis, Political Prioritization, and Financial Sustainability,” the first day spotlighted Liberia’s post-Ebola health recovery efforts. A high-profile panel, featuring legislators and financial experts, explored pathways for maintaining political and financial commitments to the NCHP, reinforcing its role in delivering essential healthcare. Senator Varpilah, Chair, Senate Committee on Health: “Thanks to the Ministry of Health and partners for organizing this important symposium. Community health workers are crucial in reaching underserved populations. During field visits, I’ve witnessed their impact in hard-to-reach areas, addressing maternal and child health, sanitation, and education. Liberia must continue to invest in community health to address persistent challenges. Partnering with organizations like USAID strengthens efforts to maintain these programs and expand their reach.”
Catherine Cooper, Chief Medical Officer of, the Ministry of Health said Liberia had made significant progress in community health: “Today, we gather to reflect on successes, identify challenges, and strategize for sustainability. Mobilizing domestic resources will help achieve universal health coverage and ensure program continuity. Collaboration with the African CDC and other partners remains essential in strengthening Liberia’s health systems. This symposium offers a platform to define actionable steps for accelerating progress.” Dr. James Guwani, Africa CDC: “Liberia’s community health model is exemplary across the continent. Its integration into the national health system is a testament to resilience and innovation.” Sandra Bird, USAID Liberia: “The collaboration here reflects a shared commitment to equity and sustainability in healthcare delivery.” Andy Brooks, UNICEF: “CHWs bridge the gap between underserved communities and health services, playing a transformative role in Liberia’s health outcomes.” Discussions on the second day revolved around the critical contributions of Community Health Workers (CHWs), who extend essential healthcare to Liberia’s most remote areas.
The workshop will culminate with reflections from stakeholders and the signing of a unified acceleration plan. The finalized strategy will pave the way for expanded healthcare access, reduced maternal and child mortality, and strengthened pandemic readiness. The NCHP has improved access to healthcare for more than 1.2 million Liberians in remote areas, with nearly 5,000 Community Health Assistants (CHAs) deployed across all 15 counties. Recent revisions to the 10-year strategic plan and the introduction of a new cadre of professional CHWs underscore the Ministry’s commitment to reducing maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent mortality while strengthening pandemic preparedness and response capabilities. Despite these gains, challenges persist, including limited female participation among CHWs and logistical constraints in hard-to-reach areas, according to S. Olasford Wiah, Director of the Community Health program, MOH.
The workshop is expected to yield a unified acceleration plan that aligns community health strategies with national health system strengthening goals. This effort will enhance Liberia’s ability to reduce preventable deaths, expand access to life-saving care for children under five, and ensure preparedness for future health emergencies. The National Community Health Program remains a cornerstone of Liberia’s health system. This workshop is an opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and recommit to our shared vision of equitable healthcare for all.